Sergio S. Osmeņa, Sr.

"What good will independence do to us if we will not be able to maintain that independence
to provide people peace, happiness and prosperity the so well deserve"

A native of Cebu City,
Sergio Osmeņa was the first president who came from the Visayas. He came to power at the age of 67,
the oldest among the twelve Philippine presidents. Like Manuel L. Quezon, he completed his
degree, Bachelor of Laws, in the University of Santo Tomas.

He served as provincial
governor for a year in Cebu, an Assemblyman and speaker for nine years, a senator ,
a senate pro tempore, a cabinet member, and as vice-president of the Philippines. He had occupied six
government positions before he succeeded Quezon as president. He accompanied Quezon in the United States
and together, they had set up a government-in-exile. After the death of Quezon, he returned to the
Philippines with the forces of General Douglas MacArthur.

Among his major projects
as president of the Philippines is the restoration of the executive departments that existed before the war.
He also continued the fight for Philippine Independence.